Just how much ConcernedApe's upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier will have in common with Stardew Valley remains the subject of some discussion, but at least a few assumptions can be made with confidence. For one thing, it's clear that Haunted Chocolatier will retain the management and life simulation elements of its spiritual predecessor, with a focus on item economy and continual progression, but this time with chocolate as its backbone rather than crops and artisanal goods.
Beyond the obviously different premise, Haunted Chocolatier will feature more of an action-RPG framework with a greater emphasis on combat, according to ConcernedApe. Early footage and screenshots of the game have supported these claims, as the offensive and defensive options available to players are ostensibly far wider and deeper than the simple hack-and-slash mechanics of Stardew. How this fundamental shift toward more action-oriented design will factor into the broader Haunted Chocolatier sandbox is a bit more unclear, however, as Stardew's combat was mostly isolated and essentially optional. Despite the major distinctions between the two games, one Stardew feature might actually serve Haunted Chocolatier's combat goals.
Haunted Chocolatier's Romances Could Use a Touch of Mass Effect in One Way
Haunted Chocolatier will almost certainly have a romance system similar to Stardew Valley's, but it should look past its predecessor for inspiration.
Stardew Valley's Wilderness Farm Could Be Great Inspiration for Haunted Chocolatier
The Wilderness Farm's Combat Focus Would Synergize With Haunted Chocolatier's Design
In Stardew Valley, players can choose from several starting farms, each with unique quirks. For instance, the Riverland Farm is veined with rivers, allowing for easy fishing access. The Wilderness Farm is among the more interesting of these archetypes, as its defining feature is that monsters will spawn at night, posing a threat to the player. While this is obviously a major inconvenience, it also offers some benefits, like access to monster-related loot drops and opportunities to easily farm combat XP.
Given Haunted Chocolatier's stated combat emphasis, it should be clear why such an archetype would be a good fit. Much like in Stardew, engaging with enemies on the player's home turf, as it were, would serve as a nice additional challenge, which would in turn yield faster progression as a reward. One might assume that monster-slaying in Haunted Chocolatier will result in even more rewards, such as crafting or cooking materials, so having the choice to layer on additional combat encounters could allow for quicker progression along these avenues as well. Put simply, if Haunted Chocolatier is really going to have a greater focus on combat, then it would make sense to adapt one of Stardew's most combat-oriented personalization features.
It's not clear if there will be a "farm type" equivalent in Haunted Chocolatier, or if there will just be one standard home base area. But even in the latter scenario, elements of the Wilderness farm could still be adapted.
How Haunted Chocolatier Could Provide a Better Version of the Wilderness Farm
If Haunted Chocolatier were to put its own spin on the Wilderness Farm, perhaps calling it the "Wilderness Factory" or something similar, there are ways in which it could elevate the concept from its Stardew version. Of course, with broader, more fleshed-out combat mechanics come inherent benefits, but the game could extend beyond the traditional moment-to-moment combat systems to provide more base defense-style gameplay.
Maybe players could organize some sort of defense system around their factory, setting traps, erecting fences, and the like, adding an extra layer of strategy and forethought to Haunted Chocolatier's gameplay loop. This would differentiate "home combat" from "field combat," further encouraging engagement with this alternate system. Even without quasi-tower defense systems, Haunted Chocolatier could shake up the concept of Stardew Valley's Wilderness Farm through elements like unique level design or base-exclusive buffs, offering a deeper experience overall.
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Engine
- MonoGame
WHERE TO PLAY
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Simulation
